Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1887-10-04
MISCELLANEOUS.
Saved by His Dog.

It was an ugly cur. of the kind which you see
in alleys and waste lots, feeding on garbage
Wag did not feed on garbage. The gate-keep-
ers wife at the prison was a kfnd-hearted
Irish woman, who fed him well.
"He's none of mine, zur," she said to the
warden. SHE come one day with the wife of
one of the prisoners. an he crept in with her.
an saw his master just behind the bars. an
he's stayed ever since. She couldn't get him
away. he knows Johns here says he to
me. an he's waiting for him to come out"
He's an iIl-oonditioncd cur" said Mr.. Bolts.
.'Such dogs ought to be shot. They're no
good to anybody"
:: But he plays with the children, zur."
She did not tell the warden that Wag tried
to creep into the prison whenever the doors
were opened. and howled when kicked out
But his faithful devotion to the poor wretch
who owned him touched Mrs. Clancy's warm
Irish heart.
"'Twas God made the baste. he must have
had use for him. she said, Us the warden
went on to the prison.
Johns wife, ga wee little body, wild big
sperrit in her, according to Mrs. Clancy, came
no more to the prison. She sold the little
house they owned in Kensington, and going to
al OOSSuIC @NCh cOlSS1 OOu5At -
of ground, cultivated it. and made home for
her husband when he should come ont.
"Nobody knows you here" she wrote
g Nobody will know of the slip you made =
You can begin afresh. A good carpenter is
much needed. and 1 have all your tools"
1t seemed the best course to her. but it would
have been wiser if she had stay cd in town and
kept up her influence him. He was in
the companionship of thieves and drunkards,
worse men than himself. 1t was easy for them
TO persuade him that the chance of decent
life was oyer with him in this world: Their
tiorieot- otIsy and iser, undiIe
was living In it with them.
His term of imprisonment was for three
years, but on account of his good conduct he
was discharged few months earlier. Mary,
his wife, did not know this. But his comrades
In the prison knew it. Two of them, who were
discharged week earlier, arranged to meet
him as soon as he came out.
1t was i'll the evening when he laid off his
convict garb, and resumed the clothes he had
worn outside. There was u society in the city
for the care of discharged prisoners. The
agent spoke to him u few hopeful, kind words.
and gave him n ticket to carry him to the town
where Mary lived.
You'll find your wife there, and a new life
with Gods help"
John walked down the corridor and across
the prison-yard, with no hope in his heart. 1t
was long since he had seen his wife. She
| cOnld not love miserable jail-bird! He would
not go to this place where she was respected
to disgrace her! He would not bring taint
on his baby girl. The men we're waiting for
him across the way. He had no mind to go
stealing, or TO any kind Of crime. but few
days hard drinking, or plunge in the river
would end it all, and take him ont of every
| body's wayI
The gate uncloscd. He passed through, and
was a free man again. In street not far
away was brightly lighted drinking shop
His comrades were there. He stopped, looked
at the ticket in his hand, and thcn-crossed
the street to join them.
just at this moment dog rushed out of the
jail-gatc, and jumped on him, barking, licking
his hand, fairly mad with joy.
The poor prisoner stopped. trembling from
head to foot, Why, its Wag!" he said; "it's
poor old wag."
With the sight of the dog came back his
home that he had disgraccd and ruined; Mary,
and the baby in its cradle. sick longing
filled his heart to see them again.
. It's my wife-it's my little girl!' he stood
irresolute minute. and then walked hastily to
the station. ''COme wag; we'll go home, he
said.
This is true story. John Dash is living
now. an honest citizen. and the old dog still
sleeps on his hearth. The gate-keePer's wife
was not wrong when she said that God has a
use for things that He has made. Even poor
cur may help. with its faithful love, to save a
soul alive.